STARKVILLE — Another weekend brings another highly regarded Southeastern Conference and national power to the MSU Softball Field.
Junior left fielder Jessica Cooley wouldn’t have it any other way for her Bulldogs.
“This is the best conference in the country. I am extremely grateful to be a part of it,” Cooley said. “To play in this league is a huge honor. This team is working really hard. We are ready to prove we are one of the top SEC teams. We are excited. We want to come out fighting.”
MSU (18-12, 3-7 SEC) will play host to the No. 12 University of Tennessee (20-7, 4-4) in a three-game weekend series. The teams will meet at 5:30 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday, and 1 p.m. Sunday. Tennessee split a doubleheader Wednesday at the No. 1 University of Alabama. The Crimson Tide won the opener, 3-2 in 11 innings before the Volunteers rebounded to snap the Crimson Tide’s 26-game winning streak with a 5-2 victory. It was Tennessee’s second victory against a top-ranked team this season.
“Tennessee is really good, but we are not going to back down from anybody,” Cooley said. “We have very high expectations. We have set the bar high. … We bring that attitude to every single game, every single practice. We want to work hard to show everybody we are excited to be out there.”
MSU defeated then-No. 7 Georgia in its last home conference series. That victory was the highest-ranked opponent MSU has defeated at home. MSU is vying for a top-eight finish in the SEC standings, which would mean a berth in the league’s postseason tournament.
“This team is nothing like I have been part of,” Cooley said. “We have a huge determination, energy, and fight about ourselves. I think that starts with our coaches. They have made it fun for us. They are positive and have great energy. It has rubbed off on us. Everybody is excited to get on the field. We want to show our fans what we have been working so hard for.”
Cooley has been an integral part of MSU’s success this season. The Birmingham, Ala., native is hitting .329 with a conference-best nine home runs and a team-best 25 RBIs. Earlier this season, a torrid 10-for-19 week with 17 RBIs led to national player of the week honors.
“Jessica is a really determined hitter,” MSU coach Vann Stuedeman said. “She has a great attitude and great mind-set. She has really emerged as a team leader, and she is someone the other players can rally around.”
Cooley said the team has put itself in position to earn its first postseason berth since 2009 thanks in large part to the “live in the moment” approach Stuedeman and her assistant coaches have preached.
“That attitude helps us tremendously,” Cooley said. “When a coach says live in the moment, that is a huge plus for a player. If you can forget about the past, it will help you out tremendously. It is awesome to have teammates and coaches who buy in and believe in the same things you believe in. To have a coach or player have your back, it makes it easier to win the next at-bat. This attitude and philosophy has helped us in everything we do.”
MSU lived in the moment Tuesday night when it rallied from a 3-2 sixth-inning deficit to beat the University of Alabama at Birmingham 4-3. As the Bulldogs inch closer to secure a winning season and possible berth in the NCAA tournament, midweek victories are critical. MSU’s first walk-off win of the season came after a disappointing series loss at LSU.
“This team is a family,” Cooley said. “We get along so great, on and off the field. It is like nothing I have ever experienced. These girls are really my sisters. That carries over to the field. Spring break, we were on the road together for seven straight days. That made us stronger as a team. At LSU, we had a crawfish boil and were able to meet up with the baseball team. The coaches plan fun activities for us; it is not serious all the time. Being able to goof off and have fun away from the field has made us more relaxed on the field.”
MSU hopes that relaxation can lead to some victories this weekend. In a never-forgiving league, No. 1 Alabama will visit the MSU Softball Field next weekend to close the March schedule. Regardless of the opponent, Cooley and the Bulldogs will be ready.
“Coach Vann always teaches us to play the game and not the opponent,” Cooley said. “It is a process. We want to do the best we can to win each at-bat and to win each game. At the end, we will add everything up and see how we did. We have some really high expectations, and we plan to work real hard to meet those expectations.
“This overall experience has been amazing. I am proud to play for Mississippi State. My coaches and teammates have made this a great experience. I am having the time of my life. I love this university. It has been a great blessing.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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